Instructions
From the list below select one research question. This question will serve as the topic that you will explore and center on throughout your research. Then, develop an argument paper that focuses on some aspect of the issue. Remember—you must take a position (for or against) on this issue and you MUST include a clear claim that centers on your position. Place the claim as the last sentence of the introductory paragraph and underline it.Remember that your claim statement must include one of the following qualifiers (should, must, or ought).
Select from the list of Topics below:
Should juvenile offenders who commit violent or heinous crimes be tried as adults?
Claim Statement: Juvenile offenders who commit violent crimes should be tried as adults becaus they are more likely tocommit additional crimes as adults.
Requirements and Guidelines:
Your research project essay must be between six (full) to eight pages in length. The works cited page is not considered as part of the minimum length requirement.
Read and carefully follow all of the guidelines for ‘Documenting Sources’ presented in the textbook; pages 309-314 & 337-368 (specifically 352-368) Use only MLA style (2009), NOT APA style. Pages 395-410 deal directly with integrating sources into your paper; the remaining pages will cover proper documentation.
You will need to incorporate six to eightoutside sources into the essay. These will form your points of evidence and will appear in the form of in-text citations (use paraphrase and/or direct quotations). No more than one block quote can be used for the research paper. Please reference the following resource for help with block quotes:https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/03/
You will include a works cited page that lists the outside sources. This constitutes the last page of your paper and is numbered. However, it is NOT considered part of the length requirement.
Follow these style specifics:
Write in third person only (one, a person, an individual, he, she, him, her, he, they, their, them, etc.)
Refrain from the use of contractions (spell out)
Follow all MLA guidelines—see Inventing Arguments
Using some (but not all) online resources is acceptable. However, Internet resources need to be from .edu. .org, or .gov sites only. Please consult the instructor for .com sites before attempting to use. Wikipedia cannot be used for this academic paper.
Late papers will NOT be accepted
You must submit your paper to SafeAssign via eCampus; I will not grade it otherwise.
The Process:
Select a topic from those provided above that you will enjoy researching and writing about—you must select one of the topic questions provided.
Read and explore this topic carefully—what are the positions already expressed about this issue?
Select a specific position that you will assert in your claim. This will be a working claim that can evolve with your research and growing understanding of your topic.
Begin prewriting activities (i.e., brainstorming to find out everything you already know about this topic, asking questions, further researching this topic)
Research extensively: include direct quotes, paraphrasing & summary from the sources in your essay. Vary your resources (even if all located via the Internet). Do not depend solely on website sources—points will be deducted for not using other resources, such as books, newspapers, journals, and magazines—even if located online.
Present at least three reasons to show the logic of your position. Develop each reason thoroughly.
Include a counterargument that acknowledges the merits of the opposing viewpoint
Don’t forget the Works Cited—this is part of the document and should appear as the last page of the paper. Document the six to eight outside sources and place in alphabetical order and follow all other MLA rules for the entries.You must also include in-text citations throughout your paper for all sources.
There will be no rewrites. Therefore, please see me immediately if you are having trouble with this assignment.
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